HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1867

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      State Government

Title:  An act relating to the Washington park arboretum.

Brief Description:  Designating the Washington park arboretum as an official state arboretum.

Sponsors:  Representatives Anderson, Edmondson, Jacobsen, Rayburn and Thibaudeau.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

State Government, February 24, 1993, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 8 members:  Representatives Anderson, Chair; Veloria, Vice Chair; Reams, Ranking Minority Member; Vance, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Campbell; Conway; King; and Pruitt.

Staff:  Bonnie Austin (786-7135).

Background:  Washington state has a variety of designations symbolizing the uniqueness of the state.  Some of these include the state flag, state tree (western hemlock), state grass (bluebunch wheatgrass), state flower (rhododendron), state fruit (apple), state bird (willow goldfinch), state fish (steelhead trout), state song ("Washington My Home"), state folk song ("Roll On Columbia"), state dance (square dance), and the state seal.

The Washington Park Arboretum, formerly known as the University of Washington Arboretum, is a 200-acre arboretum run by the city of Seattle and the University of Washington.  In addition to being an area dedicated to preserving and displaying woody plant species from around the world that can thrive in the Northwest, it is a center for botanical and gardening information.

Summary of Bill:  The Washington Park Arboretum is declared an official arboretum of the state of Washington.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This bill was developed by working with many of the public and private arboretums around the state.  This increase in status will help the Washington Park Arboretum when it approaches national foundations for grants.  The bill also acknowledges the important role played by the Washington Park Arboretum in botanical and gardening matters.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Representative Cal Anderson, prime sponsor (pro).